Buddhist Sites
-| Bagh | -
Location: Dist—Dhar (M.P), India - Lat 22º 22'N, Long 74º
47 E
The site is located on a solitary sandstone cliff in the otherwise basaltic
(a type of rock formation) region of the Vindhya slopes, 145 kms. south west
of the Mahow railway station. Bagh is a small colony of 9 Buddhist caves of
5th & 6th century A.D. perched at a height of 30 ft.
These nine caves are affiliated to the contemporary caves of the Deccan on the
architectural grounds. However, these have a separate identity in the Buddhist
rock cut architecture. The cave 1 is a four pillared chamber with a damaged
portico. The cave 2 is of usual quadrangular monastic plan but boasts an elaborate
facade which was originally relieved with chaitya window design. The cave consists
of a court with a niche for an image at either side, a pillared verandah with
a cell at either end, a hall with eighteen cells arranged on three sides and
a pillared ante-chamber leading to a shrine at the back of the hall. The side
walls of the ante-chamber have each a bold relief of standing Lord Buddha figure
in vara mudra flanked by two attendants.
The plan of cave 3 is unusual. It has a forecourt, that consist of a hall with
eight octagonal pillars, a row of four cells on the right side of the hall.
There is also a pillared hall at the back side, probably a later addition. At
the left side, there is a complex of cells comprising a pillared vestibule leading
to a rear chamber with painted figure of Lord Buddha.
Cave 4 is locally known as Rang Mahal, on account of its paintings and is the
most ornamental of the caves. It is similar as cave 2 but more spacious. The
cave was once lavishly painted, the ancient bush work surviving only in patches.
The walls, ceilings and some of the pillars of the hall are embellished with
a great variety of floral and plant composition and animal figures, all rendered
with consummate skill. The pillared veranda of cave 5 is a continuation of cave
4. This cave is also sumptuously painted. Connected by a passage with the hall
of cave 5, is cave 6 - a small monastery with a hall having three cells at back
and two on the right side. The hall with a door and two windows on the front
side has a set of four pillars arranged in a square as in cave 1.
The cave 7 is a fairly large monastery with a stupa in the chapel.
Bagh
- Buddhist, Archaeology in India
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